1987 Beneteau First 345 vs Bavaria Cruiser 36 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 345 | Bavaria Cruiser 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 2012–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.45 m (34.3 ft) | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 210 L (55.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 345 and Bavaria Cruiser 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 was penned by Jean Berret. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 measures 10.45m (34.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 36 at 11.30m (37.1ft) with a 3.57m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is 0.85m longer than the 1987 Beneteau First 345. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 displaces approximately 18% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Cruiser 36, with an SA/D of 17.10 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Bavaria Cruiser 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1987 Beneteau First 345 and 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Beneteau First 345 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1987 Beneteau First 345 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1987 Beneteau First 345 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1987 Beneteau First 345 · Bavaria Cruiser 36